Vegetable prices up by 15 per cent at Koyambedu; fruits in short supply

CHENNAI: The prices of vegetables have gone up by 15 per cent at the Koyambedu wholesale market as the sales increased in the past few days. The traders said the rate of vegetables may see a rise till next week. Meanwhile, prices of some of the fruits also witnessed a climb due to a shortage in supply.

“For the past few weeks, the prices were on the lower side as there was no much sale due to rains. Now, with marriages and temple festivals lined up in the coming days, the sales have picked up. This has led to the prices going up by 15 per cent. It might see further climb till September 18, and only after that the prices will witness a downward trend,” said P Sukumaran, Treasurer, Koyambedu Wholesale Merchants’ Association.

With the vegetable prices increasing by 15 per cent, carrots are now sold for Rs 50-60 per kg, broad beans for Rs 40-45 per kg, beans Rs 40-50 per kg, brinjal Rs 15-30 per kg, peas Rs 100-120 per kg, and drumstick Rs 30 per kg. However, an adequate supply of tomatoes saw its prices coming down to Rs 10-15 per kg.

Meanwhile, due to a shortage in supply and rain in various states, the prices of fruits have also gone up by 10 per cent. S Dhanasekar, Secretary, Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Merchants’ Association said the trend will continue and the rates will go up for all the fruits in the coming days at least by 10 per cent.

Currently, apples are sold for Rs 250300 per kg (foreign and Indian), pomegranate Rs 200 per kg, sweet lime Rs 3035 per kg, pineapple Rs 35-40 per kg, and orange and grapes Rs 100 per kg.